The Gift of Encouragement

THE GIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT

"Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need." Philippians 2:25

Martin Luther once said that "encouragement is oxygen to the soul."
Sometimes it seems that all we hear are the voices of those who choose to use their words to tear us down or discourage us. I have been surrounded times with people who tend to always look at life with a half-full glass mentality. Everything is negative. Life is viewed from "under-the-turf" rather than from above the turf!

I once read a cartoon of two old guys sitting on a park bench. The one was moaning about how awful the day was, and the other was the optimist.
The pessimist asked his friend how he be so cheerful. The optimist responded, "Every day I wake up on this side of the grass is a good day!"

Listen to what Henry Blackaby has to say about encouragers:

"Some people know just what to say and do to encourage others who are going through difficult times. Their words give strength to those who are discouraged and comfort to those who are grieving. These people are sensitive to God's voice. They are not self-centered or unaware of the struggles of those around them. They are the ones we immediately seek when we enter a crisis. They welcome visitors when we are in distress, for their presence sustains us.

Scripture testifies of many whom God enabled to encourage others. When Moses was overwhelmed by his work, Jethro went to him and encouraged him. Jethro gave Moses wise counsel that eased his strain (Exodus 18:1-27). When Paul was imprisoned far from those who loved him, Epaphroditus risked his health and safety in order to go to Paul and minister to him (Philippians 2:25-30). Later, Paul urged Timothy to come and visit him, for Paul found strength and encouragement in Timothy (2 Timothy 4:9; Philippians 2:19-20). Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark also. Mark was the kind of friend Paul needed when he was enduring hardship (2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24). Paul also relied on Luke for encouragement. When everyone else was absent or preoccupied, Luke could be found with Paul (2 Timothy 4:11).

Paul experienced trials throughout his life, but God sustained him by placing godly friends around him who provided support in practical and sacrificial ways.

God wants to develop you into the kind of friend who can strengthen others. The words you share and the things you do can bring comfort and encouragement to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your co-workers." (Experiencing God - the Devotional)

My prayer for me today is that I would be a man of encouragement with my family, my staff and my friends. And beyond that - people I meet and rub shoulders with along the way. I can't do it on my own - but I can through Christ!

Great quote: "Drag the skulking Agags of pride, snobbery, fear, prejudice, green envy and ugly grudge to the light, and hack them in pieces! These are the hidden scoundrels which keep tricking us into refusing the meek, lowly, brave, noble, generous, lovely, Christlike life which we know we ought to live." J. Sidlow Baxter